The Series Ahead: Yankees @ Royals

Yankees - Royals

Kauffman Stadium
(4 Games)

Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 8:10 p.m. TV:YES Radio: WCBS
LHP CC Sabathia (14-5, 3.14) vs. LHP Bruce Chen (7-5, 4.44)

Game 2: Friday @ 8:10 p.m. TV: YES Radio: WCBS
RHP Dustin Moseley (2-1, 3.86) vs. RHP Kyle Davies (5-7, 5.21)

Game 3: Saturday @ 7:10 p.m. TV: YES Radio: WCBS
RHP Phil Hughes (13-5, 3.92) vs. RHP Sean O'Sullivan (1-3, 5.05)

Game 4: Sunday @ 2:10 p.m. TV: YES Radio: WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (9-9, 4.87) vs. RHP Brian Bannister (7-11, 5.95)

Series At A Glance

Yankees:

• The Yankees are (70-43) and maintain the best record in baseball
• The Yankees are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
• The Yankees have the highest scoring offense in baseball.
  
• The Yankees lead over the Rays is 1.5 games and 5 games over Boston.
  
• This should be a quiet series where the Yankees take at least 3 of 4 and get back on track.
  
• The most important thing will be to come out of KC healthy, and with the division lead.
  

Royals:

• The Royal are (47-67) they are tied for last in the AL Central with the lowly Cleveland Indians.
  
• The Royals are 3-7 in their last 10 games.
• They have scored 471 runs and allowed 597
  
• The Royals are 23-29 at home this season.
  
• You almost feel bad for the Royals don't you? They seem to spend some money for a small market team, but it doesn't work out (Gil Meche, Jose Guillen) and besides Soria when was their last name brand home grown talent?
  
• For a once proud franchise the Royals have been in the dumps for over a decade.
  

Three Questions

• When will Lance Berkman find his groove?
  
• Can the bullpen continue to shape up?
  
• With Posada day-to-day almost all season is there a call up in Jesus Montero's near future?
  

Injury Report

YANKEES:
- DH/1B Nick Johnson is on the 60-day DL with an inflamed tendon in the wrist. Trying limited activities in Tampa.
- RHP Alfredo Aceves is on the 60-day DL with lower back discomfort. Rehabbing at AAA.
- LHP Andy Pettitte has a Grade 1 groin strain. Expected to miss 4-5 weeks.
- LHP Damaso Marte is on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation
- C Jorge Posada has had nagging injuries all year and will be day-to-day


Royals:
- OF David Dejesus is on the 15-day DL sprained thumb. (Jeter's IPHR @ Yankee Stadium)
- RHP Gil Meche is on the 60-day DL with Bursitis in pitching shoulder
- 3B Josh Fields is on the 60-day DL (Hip Surgery)
- RHP Luke Hochevar is on the 15-day DL with a right elbow strain
- RHP Robinson Tejeda is on the 15-day DL with a right biceps strain

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